NEW YORK — Well, this wasn’t quite the scenario anyone expected today, with Tanner Roark starting the Nationals’ third game of the season. But with Jordan Zimmermann severely under the weather — he has a fever, was up all night vomiting and is receiving fluids now to combat dehydration — Matt Williams had to call an audible and gave the ball to Roark for this series finale at Citi Field.

Fortunately, Roark is on normal rest. He was supposed to start Saturday’s exhibition game against the Tigers, then wound up throwing an extended bullpen session after that game was rained out. Knowing Tanner, he seems like the type who won’t be fazed by this last-minute switch one bit.

Williams has a couple of lineup changes against Mets flamethrower Zack Wheeler. Bryce Harper, who hit seventh last night, is bumped all the way up the 2-spot today. And Danny Espinosa and Sandy Leon get their first opportunities to start. As has been stated here several times the last few weeks, Espinosa is going to get regular starts at both second base and shortstop, even if that means sitting Anthony Rendon on occasion.

“That’s the biggest challenge,” Williams said this morning. “They both played really well in spring training, and they both earned the right to play. We want to try to make sure that we get both of them opportunities. Anthony’s played really well. Danny’s played really well. He had a great at-bat the other day. We want to make sure that our bench guys have adequate at-bats as well during the course of the season, so they’re fresh and their timing is good. That’s all it is. We feel very confident in Danny and his ability. That’s why he’s starting today.”

1:11 p.m. — And we’re underway with ball one from Zack Wheeler to Denard Span. Turned into a gorgeous April afternoon here in Flushing, 58 degrees at first pitch.

1:26 p.m. — If nothing else, the Nationals made Wheeler work in the top of the first. He threw 19 pitches to four batters, with Span and Adam LaRoche working the count full. Span’s leadoff walk, though, was the only actual damage inflicted. Bryce Harper and LaRoche each struck out on changeups, so it’s a scoreless inning for the Nats as Tanner Roark takes the mound.

1:43 p.m. — Not a good bottom of the first for Roark. He gave up two runs on three hits and a walk. Worse, he needed 31 pitches to do it. On a day in which the Nats desperately need innings out of Roark, with Ross Detwiler likely unavailable out of the bullpen because Matt Williams might need him to start tomorrow. Now, in Roark’s defense, he got David Wright to loft a routine flyball to center … only to watch in horror as Span lost the ball in the sun. That might have changed the inning entirely, but still this was not a good way to get the afternoon started. It’s 2-0 Mets after one.

1:54 p.m. — And there goes Ryan Zimmerman’s first homer of the season. An absolute bomb deep into the left-field bleachers. And then a few minutes later, Danny Espinosa drilled a laser beam off the left-field wall for a double. Yes, an opposite-field line drive while batting from the left side of the plate. That’s the approach Danny showed all spring, folks, and it’s why Matt Williams and others are so encouraged about him. Espinosa for the season now: 1-for-1 with a double and an 8-pitch walk in a key spot. It’s 2-1 Mets as we go to the bottom of the second.

2:02 p.m. — That’s more like it, as Roark needs only eight pitches to get through the second inning. He’s at 39 pitches total, which is much more manageable.

2:24 p.m. — Even better from Roark in the third, which he completed on seven pitches. So after that 31-pitch first inning, he’s now at a very manageable 46 through three. Meanwhile, Espinosa struck another ball well to the opposite field in the top of the fourth, though this one was caught to end the inning. It remains 2-1 Mets as we head to the bottom of the fourth.

2:48 p.m. — Here come the Nats! Span delivers another clutch hit in the top of the fifth, singling in Leon to tie the game. He is now 4 for his last 5 with a walk, a single, a double and a triple. Hmm, is there such a thing as hitting for the “wraparound cycle?” Then Werth delivers his own RBI single to score Span, giving the Nats a 3-2 lead. So that’s three straight games now in which they’ve put themselves in an early hole and then have come back to take the lead. They obviously won the first two games. We’ll see whether they can hang on here today. 3-2 in the fifth.

3:02 p.m. — Boy, what a nice job by Roark. He just escaped a jam in the bottom of the fifth, getting a double play grounder out of Wright and then striking out Duda with the tying runner in scoring position. That preserves the Nats’ 3-2 lead as we head to the sixth.

3:13 p.m. — Danny Espinosa, ladies and gentlemen. Another rocket of a double to left-center, his second of the day. He’s now 2-for-3 with two doubles and a well-struck flyout to left-center.

3:23 p.m. — Tanner Roark, ladies and gentlemen. He finished his day with a flourish, striking out the final four batters he faced. After that shaky first inning, he was outstanding, finishing with a pitching line of: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 95 pitches, 62 strikes. A standout job by Roark today, given the circumstances. Still 3-2 Nats after six.

3:44 p.m. — Insurance. Times four. The Nats have been taking it out on the Mets bullpen all week, and the story is no different today. LaRoche hit a two-run single off Jeurys Familia. Zimmerman added another RBI single. And another Daniel Murphy error brought home another run. It’s 7-2 at the stretch, and in comes Ross Detwiler from the pen. Interesting, you’ve got to wonder if Matt Williams knows that Jordan Zimmermann is good to go tomorrow. Otherwise, why waste Detwiler in this situation?

4:08 p.m. — Good lord, is the Mets bullpen bad or what? Carlos Torres just walked Werth to load the bases, then walked LaRoche to force in a run. It’s 8-2 Nats now, going to the bottom of the eighth.

4:18 p.m. — Two scoreless innings of relief for Detwiler. A nice bullpen debut for him.

Ah, the “flu,” AKA, a gastrointestinal infection, not the “flu,” AKA a nasty chest cold.

It would be awesome if it’s a 24 hour “flu,” but even then it seems unlikely he’ll be sufficiently recovered to start tomorrow, especially with the Nats’ allegedly horrible medical staff on the case 😉.

Seriously, though, if he pitches tomorrow, I call shenanigans (but I make no claim that I’m the first to do so 😉 ).

Sec 3 My Sofa - Apr 3, 2014 at 12:45 PM

I was not-first first.

Eric - Apr 3, 2014 at 12:48 PM

OK. I’ll remember this reply of yours in 2 years if we’re wrong; I’ll remember my lead off post if we’re right, but will conveniently forget my parenthetical epilogue.

This is not a statement.

Is it game time yet?

Eric - Apr 3, 2014 at 2:58 PM

Well, that ironic comment makes me sound like a total dbag when detached from the original context…

Thanks WordPress!

Eric - Apr 3, 2014 at 12:50 PM

Crickey, I just don’t feel right being sarcastic without my trusty:😉

adcwonk - Apr 3, 2014 at 1:09 PM

There’s been a nasty GI thing going around DC, and sometimes it lasts a couple of days (it did for me). I hope JZ doesn’t have _that_ version!

Let’s step on their throat and sweep ’em. Tanner is so calm and collected, he’ll do great today. We hit Wheeler pretty well late in his last Spring Training start against us. He seemed to get gassed about the 5th inning. Hopefully we’ll get to their bullpen early.

tcostant - Apr 3, 2014 at 1:27 PM

On that note, back in the day I use to bring a broom to a Mets game when it was the last game of the series when they could sweep. Then when there was two outs in the ninth we use to all (at leat 100 people whould do the same thing) hold the brooms up for the sweep. It was fun.

Now I see the Nationals do not allow brooms. I looked at this first in 2012 when we started to have a bunch of games we might sweep, but the policy is still in place.

So I’ll ask you, would you want to bring a broom to a game when a sweep is in order???

Details from Access Card Site:

PROHIBITED ITEMS AND CONDUCT: Hard coolers, ice chests, backpacks and bags exceeding 16″ x 16″ x 8″; non-collapsible umbrellas that will not fit in such containers; brooms, poles and staffs; weapons, fireworks and other illegal substances; camera lenses larger than 8″, tripods and monopods; animals (except service animals); beach balls and other inflatable items; laser pens and laser pointers; baseball bats (other than purchased miniatures); metal, plastic or glass containers, excepting clear, factory-sealed plastic water bottles no larger than 1 liter, juice boxes, insulin containers and baby food; food items, excepting those contained in single-serving bags within a soft-sided container or cooler no larger than 16″ x 16″ x 8″; alcohol not purchased at the ballpark; noisemakers not provided by the Nationals; skateboards; and any other item deemed dangerous, inappropriate, or in violation of the Guest Conduct Policy. The use of foul or abusive language or obscene or threatening gestures, fighting, attempts to enter the field or to cause objects to enter the field, and irresponsible or underage consumption of alcoholic beverages, and any other action deemed dangerous, inappropriate, or in violation of the Guest Conduct Policy may result in the guest being ejected without refund and arrested, or refused initial admission.

letswin3 - Apr 3, 2014 at 12:22 PM

I know it’s a game and a half sample, but Lobaton has done nothing to reduce my opinion of him as an above average backup catcher. Gio said he seemed to put down all the right fingers for him last night, his bat looked as good in the game as it did in ST and, most importantly, he hung onto that one-hopper from Harper and made the tag ….. the catch of an outfielder throw home isn’t always a sure thing for catchers. And, in framing pitches, he doesn’t seem to snatch it back in the zone, but instead looks to maybe move his entire body to the needed spot … I’ll have to see more of him to figure that out, but so far it looks great. I’m a Ramos lover … just complimenting Lobaton for a good start to his Nationals years.

adcwonk - Apr 3, 2014 at 1:11 PM

After all, the dude did play 100 games for the Rays, who won more games in a tougher division than than the Nats last year.

Obviously, that’s due to a lot of other players, too, but he clearly ain’t chopped liver!

Crash Davis: “You’re gonna have to learn your clichés. You’re gonna have to study them, you’re gonna have to know them. They’re your friends. Write this down: ‘We gotta play it one day at a time.'”

Ebby Calvin LaLoosh: “Got to play… it’s pretty boring.”

Crash Davis: “‘Course it’s boring, that’s the point. Write it down.”

Managers gotta know how to give non-answers, too. Why on earth would you let the whole world know what your strategy for this evening’s game is? It’s my understanding that some other managers know how to read.

Agreed – but on the other hand, it should be a boost to Espi’s confidence to know that Matty has faith in him and that he really is going to get a lot of starts. Would be really nice to see him post a strong April so this is a good chance for him to get on track.

And if you’re gonna get him in the lineup, better to do it against the Mets and have Rendon in there for all three games of the ATL series…

adcwonk - Apr 3, 2014 at 1:13 PM

I think those are good points. This is part of “it’s a marathon”. It’s not that Rendon needs rest, it’s that MW thinks Espi should not sit on the bench too long if he’s going to be a productive member of the team this year.

letswin3 - Apr 3, 2014 at 12:40 PM

Zackly. Spotlight is now on Danny ….. not worried at all about his defense though.

JW - Apr 3, 2014 at 12:45 PM

I’m expecting Espinosa to get one start in every 3 game series. One time it will be for Rendon’s day off, next time for Desmond’s, then for Zimmerman’s. Same will probably be true for McLouth once they get past this blip of having to fit in Leon because Ramos got hurt.

It seems unlikely all three of them get a game off during every series, no?

JW - Apr 3, 2014 at 1:02 PM

That’s not what I said. Rendon, Desmond and Zimmerman will each get a day off every third series.

adcwonk - Apr 3, 2014 at 1:14 PM

I’m expecting Espinosa to get one start in every 3 game series. One time it will be for Rendon’s day off, next time for Desmond’s, then for Zimmerman’s.

Interesting. So, under that plan, after every 9 games, we have Rendon play 8, Zimm play 8, Ian play 8, and Espi play 3.

Intriguing.

Sec 3 My Sofa - Apr 3, 2014 at 1:15 PM

I stand corrected.

That’s about 3 games a month off, each, plus whatever other off days they might get, not including days Zim is at first, if any, or about 9 starts a month for Danny on that basis alone. So maybe that’s not so much.

Two words: Whisk broom. (Reminds me of the day back in aught 5 when natsfan1c and I were going to bring our whisk brooms to RFK for the sweep. We ended up leaving them at home, though. Good thing we did, as we’d forgotten that it was a four-game rather than a three-game series. But I digress…)

letswin3 - Apr 3, 2014 at 12:32 PM

Last night some reasoned that Harper was moved down in the order to reflect his lack of hitting all spring. So today, Williams moves him to the 2 hole …… what’s up? Frankly I like him hitting third, but I always want to see him get as many at bats as possible ……. I’m convinced that he and Rendon will one day fight it out for the team batting title ,,,, maybe even this year. I mean no disrespect to Mr Werth, Mr Zimmerman, Mr Ramos, Mr Desmond, Mr Span or Mr LaRoche in proffering this possibility.

adcwonk - Apr 3, 2014 at 1:15 PM

Perhaps it’s done this way:

Put Span first, catcher and pitcher 8th and 9th — and draw lots for the other 6 spots? 😉

nattyboh1 - Apr 3, 2014 at 12:33 PM

It’s simply not possible for Zimmermann to have been up all night vomiting – I have it on good authority this is all a conspiracy. Surely nobody knows better than the readers of this blog.

“Here” being the comments section and “it” being any of multiple incompatible theories about the same fact or set of facts. Good times!

jd - Apr 3, 2014 at 12:39 PM

I think Williams planned all along to play Espinosa 1 game this series. Going forward he will spell Des mind and Zimmerman as well. It’s not about sitting Rendon. It’s about giving the bench players regular playing time so when you need them they aren’t stale. I think we will see similar substitutions for McLouth and to a lesser degree Franzen and Hairston.

I dunno, it seems like they wouldn’t need to go into so much detail, just flat out lie, if this were all a way to juggle the rotation, merely. He may pitch tomorrow anyway, and pitch well–he’s a tough guy–but I believe he’s really sick.

An aside, if Desi isn’t cheating up the middle for a doubleplay, I bet Wright sneaks that by for a single. It’s funny how baseball works out. Wright gets a gift sun-up single then hits into a tailor-made GIDP on a smashed grounder.

adcwonk - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:02 PM

The sun giveth and the Ian takes it away? Or something like that.

Sec 3 My Sofa - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:00 PM

But a nice pitch to Duda for the ponche to end the fifth!

Eric - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:00 PM

I feel like last year the Nats would’ve fallen apart three innings ago with all our bad luck and all their good luck.

I signed on to make 1 observation that can’t be overlooked which is Roark’s bunt and how that changed that inning and it was a flashback to 2009 to 2010 where pitchers couldn’t do the little things like bunting. Lannan was a horrific bunter and I remember how he cost himself a few times. When Lannan got to the Phoolies last year he was bunting.

I give Matt Williams credit for doing those pitcher bucket drills. Just paid dividends in a large way.

Sec 3 My Sofa - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:04 PM

True dat.

adcwonk - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:03 PM

Let’s get Wheeler over 100 pitches this inning

Sec 3 My Sofa - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:08 PM

Desmond’s looking like he wants to get him over 200 pitches in this AB

Sec 3 My Sofa - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:09 PM

and as soon as I hit post he rolls one over to short. What a bum. Move him to center field!

adcwonk - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:09 PM

… and despite Ian swinging at the first pitch, it ends up being an 11 pitch at bat. (But, ughh, his second GIDP — the only two the Nats have this year)

Yeah. Even if it’s not a save situation, I suspect Soriano pitches because he hasn’t gotten any work yet. You want him to get some work in before the Braves series.

Sec 3 My Sofa - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:19 PM

Assuming the score stays the same, and Roark gets the bottom of the order here?

Probably want to save Blevins for tomorrow if Detwiler is starting, and Stammen finished last night, so I’m thinking Barrett, either Clippard or Storen, whichever one is up first today, and Soriano. Clipp may say he needs the work.

adcwonk - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:21 PM

RIghties are due up, I’m thinking Barrett, too . . .

But 8th inning: Clip or Store? I dunno. Did Clip throw a lot more pitches than Storen last night?

Adam LaRoche singles on a ground ball to second baseman Daniel Murphy, deflected by first baseman Lucas Duda.

Eric - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:39 PM

I’m guessing d’Arnaud retrieved the ball after it deflected into foul territory on the third base side.

Sec 3 My Sofa - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:41 PM

Harper hit a hard grounder off the pitcher’s shin, which rebounded across the left side foul line, and the catcher picked it up.

LaRoche hit a hard grounder into the shift that Duda almost got to, off his glove into right, and the second baseman picked it up.

sjm308 - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:46 PM

Harper smoked a ball that was headed for CF until the pitcher stuck his foot out – it caromed all the way into foul territory and the catcher picked it up

LaRoche smashed a ball that the diving 1st baseman deflected into short right field.

Both balls were crushed

adcwonk - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:51 PM

Thanks, guys! ‘Perciate it!

smatt1001 - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:39 PM

Wow Desi was so close to three DPs there…

tcostant - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:39 PM

That how you break a game open! 6-2 as of now.

Eric - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:40 PM

7-2!

smatt1001 - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:42 PM

adcwonk,

Harper had a little squib single that hit the pitcher in the side of the leg and it bounced back to d’Arnaud.

LaLoche’s single bounced out of the heel of Duda’s glove and murphy was in position to catch it.

sjm308 - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:47 PM

one man’s squib is another mans hard hit ball

Sec 3 My Sofa - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:53 PM

Well, it was hard enough to ricochet some 60 feet or so.

tcostant - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:50 PM

They all look like froxen ropes in the box score. Sometime you hit a line drive right at someone, that’s baseball. That is why putting the ball in play is always HUGE.

sjm308 - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:52 PM

agreed – also love how well our pitchers (and Span) are bunting which has been mentioned earlier

Sec 3 My Sofa - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:43 PM

So Det goes for the 3-inning save?

nattyboh1 - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:46 PM

Does bringing Detwiler in mean they feel pretty good about Zimmermann for tomorrow?

Sec 3 My Sofa - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:51 PM

I’m pretty sure it means Detwiler isn’t starting tomorrow, especially if he finishes this game to save the bullpen for the next series. They could still go all-bullpen, tho I can’t say I’d be happy about it myself.

sjm308 - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:53 PM

I don’t need to see him but wouldn’t it make sense to throw Soriano an inning? Or do you keep him rested for a true save situation? I realize he is not a favorite on here but the reality is, he is our closer for right now.

nattyboh1 - Apr 3, 2014 at 4:14 PM

Yes, I assumed it meant he wouldn’t be starting. I guess Stammen is the other long guy, but was thinking that you’d want both him and Detwiler rested and ready to go several innings if you’re not feeling good about Zimmermann.

Just thinking it’s probably a good sign for Zimmermann tomorrow.

sjm308 - Apr 3, 2014 at 3:51 PM

Love how this new manager is driving all the commentors here nuts.

Lets see – 3 different line ups in 3 games with players hitting in places that they usually don’t
Playing Espinosa over Rendon
Using Det when everyone thinks he will be starting tomorrow if JZimmnn is truly sick

Going to be a long long year but many is it fun – not just to watch us hit and pitch so well but to read what we think will or will not happen. Love this game and how it can humble not just the players but the fan as well.